Courses in Business Analytics

BUDT 725 Models and Applications in Operations Research

Credit will be granted for only one of the following: BMGT 735 or BUDT 725. Formerly BMGT 735.

Introduction to commonly encountered models and applications in Operations Research. Formulation and interpretation of solutions of linear optimization and network models, special structures and applications. First course in the OR MS and PhD concentration as well as an introduction to non OR-majors of these important and practical topics.

BUDT 732 Decision Modeling with Spreadsheets

Prerequisites: BUSI 620 and BUSI 671. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: BMGT 732 or BUDT 732. Formerly BMGT 732.

The applicability and use of decision and management science models have increased dramatically in recent years due to the extraordinary improvements in computer, information and communication technologies. These developments in hardware and user interfaces such as spreadsheets have been complemented by the availability of large volumes of data, such as the automatic capture of point-of-sale information, and easy access to large databases. Personal computers and friendly interfaces have become effective "delivery vehicles" for powerful decision models that were once the exclusive province of experts. In this course, we will examine ways in which complex managerial problems can be tackled with decision models using spreadsheets. Includes linear and nonlinear optimization models, decision making under uncertainty and simulation models.

BUDT 733 Data Mining for Business

Prerequisite: BUSI 630. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: BMGT 733 or BUDT 733. Formerly BMGT 733.

A second level course managerial decision-making using contemporary methods of data analysis. Specific techniques covered in this course include [1] time series forecasting (e.g., for forecasting sales; financial series), [2] classification methods (e.g., for credit rating; in consumer behavior), [3] clustering methods (e.g., for market segmenting; for industry analysis), and [4] methods for visualization of multidimensional data sets (such as financial or customer databases). Theoretical issues will be either avoided or minimized. The emphasis is on understanding the applications of these techniques to specific decision-making situations encountered in consulting, marketing, finance, management and strategy. Upon successful completion of the course, a student should possess practical analytical skills that will provide him or her with a competitive edge in almost any contemporary managerial workplace.

BUDT 736 Data Mining

Prerequisite: BUSI 630. Recommended: BUDT 704.

Contemporary methods and processes for extracting information from large databases in support of tactical and strategic business decisions. Applications in areas such as customer relationship management, direct marketing, e-commerce, financial services and retailing.

BUDT 758x Games of Strategy

Pre-requisites: BUSI 681, BUSI 690.

Course draws on insights from the field of game theory to explore decision making in a competitive (or interactive) environment. Topics and applications include: sequential and simultaneous games; pricing and promotions in oligopolies; preemptive capacity decisions; entry/exit decisions; signaling; contracts and alignment of incentives in compensation design, corporate governance and in supply chains; the role of credibility.

BUDT 758x Pricing and Revenue Management

Revenue (or yield) management (RM) first emerged in the post-deregulation US airline industry, and hit the jackpot in the mid 90's with American Airlines RM scoring $1 billion annual incremental revenues (almost 100% profit). The business strategy reformed the entire transportation and tourism industry, as well as telecommunications, broadcasting, ticketing, healthcare, fashion, manufacturing etc. Recently RM evolved to a new dimension with internet companies practicing dynamic and targeted pricing or auctions for products, services or advertisement slots. The WSJ identifies RM as "The number one emerging business strategy, a practice poised to explode"; the internet stands as a stimulating environment behind this explosion. Any business that has a fixed capacity and a perishable product or service is a candidate for revenue management, as long as customers vary in their willingness to pay. A specialized course on dynamic pricing and revenue management is meant to provide you with the right bundle of tools and principles, drawn from several disciplines (Operations, Microeconomics, Decision Modeling, Statistics, Marketing, IS) in order to maximize profits. The RM solution integrates pricing with sales and inventory management strategies. The first part of the course addresses pricing issues (pricing under various constraints, non-linear pricing, markdown pricing), from a combined economics and marketing perspective. The second part of the course provides tools and methods for combined pricing and capacity management decisions from an operational perspective.